Reclaiming Statutory Sick Pay

Coronavirus Support for businesses who are paying sick pay to employees

The Government has brought forward legislation to allow small and medium-sized businesses and employers to reclaim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) paid for sickness absence due to COVID-19.

The eligibility criteria for the scheme will be as follows:

This refund will cover up to two weeks’ SSP per eligible employee who has been off work because of COVID-19

Employers with fewer than 250 employees will be eligible – the size of an employer will be determined by the number of people they employed as of 28 February 2020

Employers will be able to reclaim expenditure for any employee who has claimed SSP (according to the new eligibility criteria) as a result of COVID-19

Employers should maintain records of staff absences and payments of SSP, but employees will not need to provide a GP fit note. If evidence is required by an employer, those with symptoms of coronavirus can get an isolation note from NHS 111 online, and those who live with someone who has symptoms can get a note from the NHS website

Eligible period for the scheme will commence the day after the regulations on the extension of SSP to those staying at home comes into force

The Government will work with employers over the coming months to set up the repayment mechanism for employers as soon as possible

Eligibility

You are eligible for the scheme if:
Your business is UK-based
Your business is small or medium-sized and employs fewer than 250 employees as of 28 February 2020